Book Title: Jain Theism
Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah

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Page 182
________________ Scriptural and other Arguments for Theism in Jainism 163 worshiping the lord. 136 He categorically says that "onc attains the light of the soul through the worship of the lord Jineśvara. 137 Grace : Srimad's thoughts about worship also disclose his strong faith in the divine grace. He accepts, though at first seems to be paradoxical or contrary to law of Karma, the divine grace. 1.38 In one of his poems he says that even the laws of the world and the effect of good or bad Karmas are not possible without God.139 In Short we find Srimad Rajacandra opens our eyes towards the Jain conception of God. The nature of God, God's grace, God's worship, the nature and benefits of such worship etc., He clearly shows the prevailing relationship between the divine and the devotee or let us say the land 'Thou' relationship in Jain religion and thought, This puts Jainism on a strong theistic footings. (3) Śrī Nyāyavijayaji Muni Śri Nyāyavijayaji, a great logician, is known for his valuable book 'Jain Darshana'. He considers Jainism to be highly secular. Śri Nyāyavijayaji says that according to Jain scripture God is one whose Karmas are totally annihilated. 1441 The state of liberation, as he says, is not different from the state of Godhead. To be liberated is to be God.14! He explains that the meaning of the word Isvara (God) is Samartha (all capable) and so the soul that has attained its pure form with all the four infinites is properly addressed as Isvara or God. 1+2 Muni Sri Nyāyavijayaji also brings before us monism in Jainism. He says since there is no qualitative difference amongst the Siddhas the concept of one God' is not totally illogical. He also says that the spiritual progress of both the Siddhas and the Tirthankaras is of the same quality, both the Siddhas as well as the Tirthankaras are God. 943 Even Pandit Dalsukh Malvania, in one of his books. says that there are no particular differences found amongst the liberated souls.44 Quoting Umāsvāti from Tattvärth-Sūtra, he says that the soul that is liberated 136. Deasi R. C. (ed. & pub. ) : 'Srimad Rajcandra' Vol. I (1976), p. 68 137. Ibid., Vol. I p. 67 138. Śri Puayavijayaji Muni Sri, : 'Jivana Jyoti' (St. 2018), p. 35 139. Shah J. M., Ed. 'Rajvani', p. 49 140. "ufatur Hoof $7:"-Nyayavijayaji Muni, Jain Darsana (St. 2020), p. 36 141. Ibid., p. 36 142. Ibid., P. 36 143. Ibid., P. 37 144. Malvania Dalsukhabhai, : 'Jain Dharma Chintan (1965) P. 118 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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